Establishing a canonical procedure for collecting biodiversity information from citizen scientists using mobile phones

DOI Web Site
  • Osawa Takeshi
    Natural Resources Inventory Center, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences
  • Yamanaka Takehiko
    Natural Resources Inventory Center, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences
  • Nakatani Yukinobu
    Natural Resources Inventory Center, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 携帯電話を利用した市民参加型生物調査の手法確立
  • ケイタイ デンワ オ リヨウ シタ シミン サンカガタ セイブツ チョウサ ノ シュホウ カクリツ

Search this article

Abstract

Although biodiversity monitoring by citizen scientists has great potential for biodiversity conservation, several problems are associated with this method: e.g., a lack of scientific and taxonomic knowledge of the target species group and/or difficulty arranging such activities. In the present study, we attempted to establish a canonical protocol for biodiversity monitoring by citizen scientists using standard mobile phones, which are very common throughout Japan at the present time. First, we constructed a web system that can project the digital photos taken with the mobile phone and sent via standard e-mail, onto Google Maps. Subsequently, we conducted a series of pilot campaigns for biodiversity monitoring at four sites in Japan in collaboration with regional curators and teachers. Finally, we published the records of all campaigns on our project website. Using this procedure, we believe that three essential points of success in biodiversity monitoring by citizen scientists have been satisfied: 1) providing an easy-to-use tool, 2) collaboration between citizen scientists and researchers, and 3) providing rewards for the citizen scientists. Establishing such monitoring protocols has important implications for biodiversity monitoring conducted by an entire nation.

Journal

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top